Specsavers Ballymena Optical Assistant Lucy McClean with David Jackson, Chairperson of Road Safe NI.
SPECSAVERS in Ballymena has announced a new partnership with Road Safe NI during Road Safety Week, aiming to raise awareness about the critical importance of getting regular sight tests when getting behind the wheel of a car.
Road Safety Week takes place from Sunday 17 to Sunday 24 November to highlight important road safety messages, especially with low winter sun causing difficulties on the road, and even more of us having to drive in the darkness now the clocks have gone back.
To mark this event, and as part of the collaboration with Road Safe NI, all 23 Specsavers stores in Northern Ireland, including the Ballymena store, will help with the distribution of Road Safe NI’s quarterly magazine.
The magazines are in-store now for customers to take home free of cost, providing timely advice from Specsavers’ local experts around eye health and its importance for safe driving at this time of year especially, but also all year round.
The initiative comes at a crucial time, with the latest statistics from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) revealing that around 50,000 people in Northern Ireland are currently living with mild or moderate sight loss. By 2032, that number is expected to rise to more than 63,300.
Among the most common causes of sight loss are conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Yet, many people remain unaware of their diminishing vision which is often due to a lack of regular eye tests.
Every day in the UK, 250 people begin to lose their sight, potentially endangering themselves and others on the road. With one in five people expected to experience sight loss in their lifetime, it is essential that drivers take proactive steps to ensure that their vision is up to standard before getting behind the wheel.
David Jackson, Chairperson of Road Safe NI said:
“We are thrilled to partner with Specsavers to highlight the vital link between good vision and road safety. The statistics are stark – poor vision is a leading factor in many accidents and too many drivers are unaware that their eyesight may be deteriorating.
“We hope this campaign, which we have kicked off on Road Safety Week, will encourage people to make eye health a priority and to get their eyes tested regularly. Whether you drive or not, it’s essential for everyone to take care of their vision, not just for their own safety but for the safety of everyone on the roads.”
JP Rice, Specsavers Northern Ireland Chair and Director of Specsavers Portadown and Craigavon commented:
“At Specsavers, we are passionate about eye health and are excited to team up with Road Safe NI to highlight the important, and potentially lifesaving link, between regular eye tests and road safety.
“Driving with impaired vision can be dangerous, yet many people aren’t aware of the risks that they face if they skip regular eye tests. We’re delighted to be able to help increase awareness of this locally by distributing Road Safe NI resources across our stores, ensuring that we reach as many drivers as possible. By partnering together, we hope to make a real difference in raising awareness about the importance of eye tests and safe driving habits.”
The campaign aims to encourage all drivers to schedule regular eye tests, which can be easily accessed at any Specsavers store in Northern Ireland.
To find out more, visit: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/